Volleyball Takes On No. 2 Nebraska Wednesday
Sept. 23, 2008
Game Notes 
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Coming off a five-set comeback victory over Iowa State, Kansas volleyball (7-4, 1-1 Big 12) heads to No. 2 Nebraska (10-0, 2-0 Big 12) Wednesday, Sept. 24, for a 7 p.m. match up with the undefeated Cornhuskers.
Free live stats, video and radio are all available on the Cornhuskers’ athletics website at www.huskers.com. In addition, the match will be televised on CBS College Sports (DirectTV Ch. 613; DISH Ch. 152).
Quick Hits
» Nebraska is one of three straight Top 20 teams the Jayhawks will face in the coming weeks.
» Kansas’ match at Nebraska will be televised on CBS College Sports and marks the first televised contest for the Jayhawks this season.
» The Jayhawks are 0-1 this year against ranked teams.
» Wednesday’s match with NU is the first time in six meetings that Kansas will not face the Huskers as a No. 1 team. KU’s last non-No. 1 Nebraska matchup occurred on Nov. 12, 2004 when the Cornhuskers were ranked No. 3.
About Kansas
Kansas volleyball split its opening Big 12 Conference week with back-to-back five-set matches dropping its league opener at Colorado before rallying back with a victory over Iowa State at home. Outside hitter Karina Garlington currently paces the Big 12 averaging 5.30 kps in conference matches and leads with 4.36 kps in all matches, ranking her 16th in the nation. Senior Natalie Uhart’s .310 attack percentage is tops for KU as is her 0.90 bps. Sophomore libero Melissa Manda is averaging 3.26 dps, ninth in the conference, and even better in league matches with 3.90 dps. Freshman setter Nicole Tate is third in the Big 12 putting up 10.39 aps.
Head coach Ray Bechard is 168-148 in 10-plus seasons with the Jayhawks.
Scouting Nebraska
Following a 3-1 victory over No. 3 Texas last weekend, marking its fifth ranked opponent and one of just three lost sets this year, No. 2 Nebraska (10-0, 2-0 Big 12) has won its last 76 home matches dating back to the 2004 season. NU, who lost four AVCA All-Americans from a year ago, is led by returning senior All-American Jordan Larson who is second to KU’s Garlington with 5.00 kps in Big 12 matches and averages 3.88 kps in all matches. Sophomore setter Sydney Anderson runs the Husker offense with 11.45 aps. Kayla Banwarth, also a sophomore, is tops on defense digging up 3.97 balls per set, however redshirt freshman Brooke Delano has led during conference play with 4.00 dps.
John Cook is in his ninth season as head coach at Nebraska with a 260-17 overall record.
Garlington in Nation’s Top 20
Through matches as of Sept. 21, sophomore Karina Garlington is 16th in the nation averaging 4.36 kps. The Denver, Colo., native also paces the Big 12 with 5.30 kps in conference matches.
Comeback Kids
Kansas’ 3-2 victory over Iowa State on Sept. 20 was the second time this season the Jayhawks have rallied back from a 2-0 deficit to win a match. Earlier in the year, KU dropped its first two sets at Wyoming only to battle back and win the last three for a 3-2 victory.
Player Notables
» Sophomore Karina Garlington has tallied 18 or more kills in five of her last six outings, four of which were 21-plus performances. The Denver, Colo., native has set a new personal best five times so far this year.
» Melissa Grieb, a junior out of Olathe, Kan., dug up a personal-high 18 balls against Iowa State on Sept. 20. She is second on the squad with 2.21 dps and 3.10 dps in Big 12 matches.
» Sophomore Jenna Kaiser made her much anticipated return to the court versus Iowa State on Sept. 20. The Wichita, Kan., native returned to old form tallying 10 kills, her fifth-straight double digit kill performance dating back to last season.
Up Next
Kansas returns home to the Horejsi Family Athletic Center Saturday, Sept. 27 to host No. 3 Texas. The contest is scheduled for 7 p.m. Live stats will be available on the Kansas Athletics official website at www.kuathletics.com. Live video of the match can also be accessed on KU’s website with a subscription fee.
Upcoming Promotions
Saturday, Sept. 27 is “Youth Organization Day” at the Kansas-Texas volleyball match. Any youth organziation group that comes to the contest can get in for $3 a person. Fans will also receive a complimentary Jayhawk memo board while supplies last. In addition, Kansas volleyball players will be available after the match to sign autographs.
